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Dancer Karen plans milk bottle challenge

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One local Killarney lady, who is preparing to step it up on the dancefloor - has come up a unique fundraiser – by placing milk bottles around the town.
Karen Greene, who is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing at the INEC on March 8 for the Irish Cancer Society Killarney and South Kerry Branch, is planning to put the specially designed bottles in shops and businesses – and is asking for your loose change.
This local SCD fundraiser has over the years raised over €200,000 for The Irish Cancer Society - and locals are hoping to build on that amount this year.
This year will see 12 couples take to the floor, including Karen and her partner John Lyne who works in Murphy’s Bar.
And her children, Mark, who is captain of St Pauls Scotts Lakers, Johnathon, Michelle and Denis, and grandchildren Ellie-Ana, Levi and Ruby are all looking forward to seeing her dancing on the night.
To try and raise as much as possible Karen wanted to come up something unique, and one day while sitting at home enjoying a cuppa she saw the milk bottle on her table.
“The idea came about at my kitchen table when I was wondering how I was going to raise funds,” Karen told the Killarney Advertiser.
“The glass milk bottle, which I get from Chris Maloney from Ballymac Dairys, was there and I thought how about I put them into shops and businesses locally. People can donate their loose change.
“Sometimes people are embarrassed that they only have 20 cent or 10 cent – I want it – it all adds up. People think fundraisers are looking for huge sums of money. I’m doing it this way that if every one individual can put small change in, it accumulates and benefits someone somewhere. Even the smallest of pebbles will make outward ripples even in the largest pools.”
She plans to put bottles into Centra Muckross, Sheehan’s Costcutters on the Ross Road, O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy on New St., Gallivan Murphy Hooper Dolan Insurance/It’s For Rent, Halo Hairdresser on High St., Maher’s Meats and Alure at the Reeks, from February 11 to 18.
Also, from February 4 to 8, the bottles will be in St Brigid’s and Presentation Secondary schools.
“I want to thank the committee and Killarney Printing for doing the labels. I’m looking forward to dancing with John, who has been very patient with me. Best of luck to all the other dancers too.”
And she added that if anyone wants to buy tickets they can contact her on 087 9517582.
Tickets are also on sale from all dancers, which are soon to be announced, at the INEC box office, and from committee members.

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Carols by Candlelight

    St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be filled with music and glowing candles, as choirs from all over Killarney Parish gather for a community of voices together to celebrate Christmas […]

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St. Mary’s Cathedral, will be filled with music and glowing candles, as choirs from all over Killarney Parish gather for a community of voices together to celebrate Christmas 2023, December17, at 7.00pm. Admission is free.

Ten Choirs from Killarney parish will join together and sing some of the world’s most beloved Christmas carols.
The carol service is directed by accomplished Musician and Choral Director, Paula Gleeson. Originally from Cork, her family have been involved in all aspects of choral and church music for 50 years.

“This is the best experience as director, working with Fr. Kieran O’Brien, and St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir, I get to work with so many talented people in Killarney. The commitment of Teachers, Principals, and the hundreds of students from the Primary and Secondary Schools is inspiring. The generosity of our sponsors, who were so willing to contribute has helped to make this night a reality. We are all so truly grateful,” she said.

Choirs include:
St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish Choir, organist Anita Lakner
Holy Cross Mercy School Choir
St. Oliver’s Primary School Choir
St. Brigid’s Secondary School Choir
St. Brendan’s Secondary School Choir
Killarney Harmonisers
Killarney Community College School Choir
Lissivigeen National School Choir
Gaelscoil Faithleann School Choir
Presentation Monastery School Choir

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The same but different – A tribute to three great Irish musicians

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Driving home from work last Friday, tributes for Shane McGowan were pouring out across the radio stations and while listening in, I got a strong sense of déjà vu.

It was only a few months earlier that we got the sad news that the talented Aslan front man Christy Dingham had passed away, and a short few weeks after that – Sinéad O’Connor.  The loss of three iconic Irish musicians that left music fans across the country reeling.

When I think about each artist individually, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Yet, for days after the passing of the Pogues frontman, I found myself wondering why I was so drawn to all three.

And then, over the weekend I stumbled across a completely unrelated article which led with a headline:

“In a year dominated by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and disingenuity, “authentic” has somehow emerged as Merriam-Webster’s word for 2023.”

And there was my answer. The one characteristic that embodied all three of these great Irish musicians.

It was my mother that first introduced me to Aslan’s music. She grew up during their peak and loved all sorts of rock music. I regularly watch their Vicar Street performances back on YouTube and still get mesmerised by Christy’s intense stage presence. Using elaborate hand gestures to evoke a greater meaning behind the words, he always looked like he was away in his own world. Off stage, and particularly later in his career, I admired him for his honesty when talking about his struggles with addiction and mental health. He was talking openly about these issues long before it was the norm.

Sinéad O’Connor was another original soul who, because of her talent, was catapulted into a music industry consumed by artificiality; she was almost too pure for it all. I always admired her unwavering commitment to her beliefs. Her authenticity was evident in every aspect of her artistry. The way she unapologetically embraced her shaved head and boy-ish style, she challenged conventional opinions around beauty. Her music reflected her personal struggles and she never shied away from addressing issues of social injustice, religion, and gender equality. Her stances often drew criticism and controversy, but she always remained true to herself.

Shane MacGowan will always be remembered for his unfiltered nature, and while the lyrics of many songs were dark and gritty, there was also an element of empathy and compassion in what he wrote. Like Christy, he too struggled with addiction and mental health issues throughout his career. While his demons sometimes spilled over into the public eye, his honesty and vulnerability just endeared him even more to us Irish.

So isn’t it apt in a year we lost three great musicians, the word of 2023 happens to be the one undeniable trait that they all shared. Thank you Christy, Sinead and Shane for showing us that authenticity is not just about being different to everyone else; but also about possessing the courage to challenge the established, to question the norms, and to keep going, even when the going gets tough.

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